A fine selection of fabulous mocktails, a decadent chocolate mousse and a budget-wise sustainable meal were part of a feast of Youth Week celebrations at Mount View High School in the Hunter.

The school dished up the ‘Cool Schools Cooking Competition’, which featured teams of five hospitality students from Mount View High and Cessnock High, supported by Kurri Kurri Youth Services.

A last-minute round of illness prevented invited students from Kurri Kurri High, St Phillip’s Christian College and Alesco Senior School participating in the event.

However, the appetite for excellence and camaraderie was undiminished.

Mount View High’s Head Teacher, Welfare, Jodie Scheffler, said the cook-off upheld the tradition of food bringing people together.

“We couldn’t think of a better way of celebrating Youth Week. What’s going to draw them in better than a cooking comp?” she said.

“Quite apart from the current popularity of cooking contests, it was an opportunity for students to get to know each other informally, as well as exchange tips, which will serve them well in their hospitality studies.”

The competition theme was sustainability and students were encouraged to think of ways to minimise wastage.

Over the course of the day, competition between the two teams was tight, with teachers and Kurri Kurri Youth Services also in the mix.

Of course there could only be one winner, with the Mount View High team named the eventual champions.

The event proved so tasty an alternative host school is already being considered, as the kitchen knives are sharpened in readiness for next year.